Covert file system back to FAT32.

[Simon]

Hi, is there anyway to convert from NTFS back to FAT32
without having to formta and re-install. Please tell me
there is. Thanks

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Windows XP cannot natively convert a NTFS drive back
to FAT32. You might try a third-party program, such as
Partition Magic 8 (www.powerquest.com) that has the
capability to do so. However, there is not a 100% guarantee
the conversion back to FAT32 will be successful.

How to Convert the Partition File System Type (PartitionMagic 8.0)
http://www.powerquest.com/support/primus/id3898.cfm

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

----------------------------------------------------------------------


| Hi, is there anyway to convert from NTFS back to FAT32
| without having to formta and re-install. Please tell me
| there is. Thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

Partition Magic 8.0 can convert NTFS back to FAT32,
however you must uncompress all the folders on the drive
prior to starting the process. Also, you may encounter an
error message about "Sparse Data". See the PowerQuest
error message table for more information about it.

If you attempt the conversion, be absolutely certain that
you have a valid partition image (Backup) before starting.
I would also do a Chkdsk C: /R before starting the process
to make sure the volume is "Clean."

 

[Rob Schneider]

Hi, is there anyway to convert from NTFS back to FAT32
without having to formta and re-install. Please tell me
there is. Thanks

Just curious ... why do you have need to do this? Why would it matter
to use a less-functional, less-secure file system?

 

[Willit]

I have done it a few times with mixed results, not the
best idea in the world. Like Carey said takes a third
party app.

You would have better off making the change when you made
the clone. If you still have the old drive you would be
better off getting a progam like Casper-XP. The free demo
should do it and start over.

Buy a second Hard drive $69.00 these days and a good
copy/backup program to make a clone. XP-Casper is one.

http://www.fssdev.com/products/ $ 39.00 make the clone
and then un-plug the power to the drive if you want.

Want to test drive a Demo for 30 days. It has some
features disabled.

http://downloads-zdnet.com.com/3000-2248-10161152.html?
tag=lst-1-8

 

[Guest]

-----Original Message-----
Hi, is there anyway to convert from NTFS back to FAT32
without having to formta and re-install. Please tell me
there is. Thanks
.

I am curious too, why would you want that?
You want a Win98 to access your XP?
Is that what you want?
If so, do not convert your XP, rather install one of the
many DOS drivers to be able to "see" NTFS partitions from
a FAT32 one.

 

[Plato]

Hi, is there anyway to convert from NTFS back to FAT32
without having to formta and re-install. Please tell me
there is. Thanks

No 100% reliable way.

 

[Plato]

Just curious ... why do you have need to do this? Why would it matter
to use a less-functional, less-secure file system?

Easier to fix startup files, etc. Tens times easier to get data back.

 

[Michal Kawecki]

Easier to fix startup files, etc. Tens times easier to get data back.

What "startup files"? If you think about Boot.ini, there is freeware DOS
tool for editing this file under NTFS - EditBINI
http://www.terabyteunlimited.com/utilities.html.

But you can use Recovery Console, too:
Bootcfg - editor of Boot.ini file
Enable/Disable/Listsvc - editor of services and drivers in registry
Copy/Rename - tools ;-) for restoring a previous copy of registry.

BTW there is freeware CD with all toll needed for system restore,
file/registry editing, verification of filesystem integrity and
recovering of lost data. It is a complete Win32 environment with network
support, a graphical user interface (800x600) and FAT/NTFS/CDFS
filesystem support, bootable from CD. Bart's PE Builder v3
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

 

[Rob Schneider]

Easier to fix startup files, etc. Tens times easier to get data back.

Yes, if the priority is to fix things, and you think you can fix things
easier in FAT32 ... that's your choice.

I guess my take is that more problems are avoided with NTFS; hence
instead of fixing things we can *do* things.

Just a different perspective, I guess. Enjoy your FAT32.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hi, is there anyway to convert from NTFS back to FAT32
without having to formta and re-install. Please tell me
there is.

Partition Magic 8.0 can usually do it, though it is rather expensive
just for that. You would need to make sure you have no files or folders
that have been encrypted or compressed (note that the $NTUninstall
folders of files needed to uninstall updates will have been compressed)
and you also need a fair size contiguous area of free space on the drive

 

[Plato]

Yeah I've had links to below on my page for sometime now. NO help tho if
you're working on a PC that cant get to the Internet.

 

[Plato]

Yes, if the priority is to fix things, and you think you can fix things
easier in FAT32 ... that's your choice.

And ten times easier to get data back in an emergency. ie homework, my
docs, etc.

I guess my take is that more problems are avoided with NTFS; hence
instead of fixing things we can *do* things.

It's be nice of you to post what problems are avoided with NTFS to help
the group. Yes I
can come up with a list myself in an hour or so but maybe you have a
list already.

 

[Rob Schneider]

*snip*

avoided problems that I know of:

- files don't ever go missing. no experience whatsoever in getting data
back in emergency in many years of using NTFS (8 years? I can't
remember when first used). Only problem was once had crashed disk due
to hardware failure and then got back system from backup no problem.

- can use basic XP security so that others don't mess with my files
(accidently or otherwise).

Read the articles in XP "Help" on your computer entitled: "Choosing
between NTFS, FAT, and FAT32" plus the other articles which come up if
you search for "ntfs".

 

[Michal Kawecki]

Rob Schneider wrote:
[...]
It's be nice of you to post what problems are avoided with NTFS to
help the group. Yes I
can come up with a list myself in an hour or so but maybe you have a
list already.

I've had sometime more than 500 blue screen in my Windows 2000, with
mixed partitions: 2 NTFS (system, data) and 2 FAT32 (backup etc.). After
restart, chkdsk automatically corrected errors: the almost only (99%)
repaired partitions was FAT32 and only on those partitions chkdsk found
lost or crossposted clusters.

So, enjoy your FAT32... ;->

 

[RB]

Don't forget compression and encryption.

RB